Suddenly limping, dragging back left paw

[AandG]

Hi,

Sorry I have been searching the forums and was just looking for some help. My guinea pig Grizzy (age 5) was absolutely fine this morning but when I went to give her and her sister their afternoon vegetables I noticed she limped out. I put her out on her floor mat just to assess and noticed her back left paw she’s struggling to/ trying to avoid putting any wait on her paw, in particular the front part. When you pick her up she doesn’t spread her nails like she does with her other 3 paws. It doesn’t look swollen and can’t see any particular damage, and her bones feel okay when comparing them to her other leg (I am nowhere near a vet nor qualified to even check)

I have given her some Rheumocam and just keeping an eye on her. We couldn’t get an appointment with the Guinea pig vets until Monday morning. She seems to be eating/drinking/pooping okay at the moment and still has her character. She did look like she was struggling a bit to get comfy, but an hour after having her Rheumocam dose she seems a lot more comfortable than what she was.

Is there anything else I can do or just keep an eye on her and keep giving her Rheumocam until we can get to the vets on Monday?

Thank you

 

[ScrufflesRules]

I don't have any specific advice to give you, but regarding the vets, could you get her seen as an emergency appointment? I don't know enough about pain meds to know whether she'll be OK on Rheumocam until Monday. I feel like our piggies always fall ill on the days the vets are busiest unfortunately.
Have you tried contacting any of these vets if they're near you? Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

Sorry I have been searching the forums and was just looking for some help. My guinea pig Grizzy (age 5) was absolutely fine this morning but when I went to give her and her sister their afternoon vegetables I noticed she limped out. I put her out on her floor mat just to assess and noticed her back left paw she’s struggling to/ trying to avoid putting any wait on her paw, in particular the front part. When you pick her up she doesn’t spread her nails like she does with her other 3 paws. It doesn’t look swollen and can’t see any particular damage, and her bones feel okay when comparing them to her other leg (I am nowhere near a vet nor qualified to even check)

I have given her some Rheumocam and just keeping an eye on her. We couldn’t get an appointment with the Guinea pig vets until Monday morning. She seems to be eating/drinking/pooping okay at the moment and still has her character. She did look like she was struggling a bit to get comfy, but an hour after having her Rheumocam dose she seems a lot more comfortable than what she was.

Is there anything else I can do or just keep an eye on her and keep giving her Rheumocam until we can get to the vets on Monday?

Thank you

Hi

Please see a vet if t all possible.

Be aware that the problem could be further up in the leg than the foot - anywhere right up to the hip joint. What you are describing sounds more serious than just a little spraint. Good on you re. rheumocam (dog strength metacam).

Try and check whether there is a little resistance if you push gently against foot sole or not; if there isn't then you are looking more likely at a break. All it takes is an awkward landing after a jump. If the leg is at an awkward angle, you could be looking at a dislocated joint, which also needs to be seen by a vet.

 

[AandG]

I don't have any specific advice to give you, but regarding the vets, could you get her seen as an emergency appointment? I don't know enough about pain meds to know whether she'll be OK on Rheumocam until Monday. I feel like our piggies always fall ill on the days the vets are busiest unfortunately.
Have you tried contacting any of these vets if they're near you? Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

Thank you for the quick reply, unfortunately they are completely packed out and shut on Sundays , like you say typical it always occurs on days like these! I’ve had a look at the list and we’re not near any of them but thank you. There is an emergency out of hours vets nearby, but they were so useless for the girls when we took them there before, but I think I’ll just have to give them ago

 

[AandG]

Hi

Please see a vet if t all possible.

Be aware that the problem could be further up in the leg than the foot - anywhere right up to the hip joint. What you are describing sounds more serious than just a little spraint. Good on you re. rheumocam (dog strength metacam).

Try and check whether there is a little resistance if you push gently against foot sole or not; if there isn't then you are looking more likely at a break. All it takes is an awkward landing after a jump. If the leg is at an awkward angle, you could be looking at a dislocated joint, which also needs to be seen by a vet.

Hi Wiebke,

Thank you for the quick reply

We do have an emergency out of hours vet about an hour away, but when we’ve gone there before they were so useless for the girls, but I don’t think I have much choice but to take her then unfortunately

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke,

Thank you for the quick reply

We do have an emergency out of hours vet about an hour away, but when we’ve gone there before they were so useless for the girls, but I don’t think I have much choice but to take her then unfortunately

Any general vet should be able to work out what is wrong with the leg because that is an area where guinea pigs are not really all that different to common larger pets.

I m very sorry; there is never a convenient time but these things tend to happen at the worst time possible.

All the best.

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck. I hope it’s something easily treatable

 

[AandG]

Hi both

Just wanted to say thank you for your replies.

We took her to the vet and they were extremely thorough. They don’t believe there was any bone damage at all thankfully, and they also got a second opinion who believed the same. Been told to keep up the Rheumocam for 3-5 more days and see how she goes. She is more active than she was on Saturday and gradually starting to put more weight on the paw and using it for washing and scratching as well which is good! Fingers crossed she keeps improving

Thank you again

 

[Wiebke]

Hi both

Just wanted to say thank you for your replies.

We took her to the vet and they were extremely thorough. They don’t believe there was any bone damage at all thankfully, and they also got a second opinion who believed the same. Been told to keep up the Rheumocam for 3-5 more days and see how she goes. She is more active than she was on Saturday and gradually starting to put more weight on the paw and using it for washing and scratching as well which is good! Fingers crossed she keeps improving

Thank you again

That is great news! It was the foot dragging that me worried.